It’s hard to shake the fact that the Patriots have been branded as cheaters – again. They were found guilty in 2007 of recording opponents defensive signals. The NFL fined them big time (a total of $750,00) and took away a draft pick.

And this time, Brady, the league’s Golden Boy, was front and center. His word about not having any knowledge of what happened didn’t play well.

Not just with some fans, but even with former greats in the game. Even John Madden and Troy Aikman have pointed the finger at Brady being involved. Those two know a little about football.

In hindsight, Brady missed a golden opportunity to come clean and be honest.

He could have accepted responsibility, telling the media that he asked the ball boy to let some air out of the balls, but didn’t realize it was below NFL regulations. That would have been more believable than acting as if some rogue ball boy took it upon himself to do it. That makes no sense at all.

Whether Pats’ fans want to admit it or not, the suspension of their star QB in “Deflate-Gate” has tainted him forever.

Another Super Bowl win and other fans will still have the opportunity to turn their nose up at all the Patriots’ success in the Brady era.

It would pain New England fans almost as much as the Pats losing their third Super Bowl in Brady’s seven tries. And that would be the case with a loss on Sunday.

Remember, there will be no coronation if the Pats lose to the Falcons. Instead of a fifth Super Bowl, Brady would fall to 4-3, not nearly as pleasing. And don’t buy the notion that getting there is as important as winning.

Pro sports has a short menu: wins and losses.

Brady may win his fifth. Still, there will be filth attached to it in some eyes.

Rob Parker is a columnist for The Shadow League. He is also an analyst for Fox Sports 1 in Los Angeles. He co-hosts The Odd Couple on Fox Sports Radio and is also an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California.